March 15 is the Day of Charity within the framework of the "Nauryznama" ten-day celebration. This is a special day that celebrates kindness, harmony, compassion, and nobility. Kazakhs understand charity not only as material assistance but also as a deep ethical norm and a humanitarian duty. Our ancestors, adhering to the principle "Be generous, and you will not be lacking," never left each other in times of hardship.

Our people consider lending a helping hand to those in need, caring for the disabled, and showing concern for the elderly as the humanitarian duty of every citizen. Each form of charity in the national understanding highlights the fraternal ties and unity of our people. For instance, the traditional practices of "Asar" and "Ume" were carried out to voluntarily undertake large-scale tasks by the entire community. And the custom of "Zhyly jynau" involved the entire clan providing livestock and property assistance to a family that had suffered significant losses due to fire or disaster.

Similarly, the tradition of "Nemurin" can be cited as a subtle form of social support. According to this custom, young couples with low incomes, after establishing their households, would visit people, subtly indicating their needs and asking for help to get on their feet. The custom of "Kyzyk koteru" is performed when a poor person loses their only cow or mare that provides them with a livelihood. In such cases, 12 close relatives gather and compensate for the deceased animal.

Hospitality (konakasy) and blessings (bata) also hold a special place as symbols of spiritual generosity and piety. Treating any traveler who arrives at one's home as a "divine guest" and offering them food is a law of the steppe. We understand the sincere blessings received from elders as a manifestation of good intentions that transcend material wealth. Furthermore, religious obligations such as zakat and fitr-sadaqa undoubtedly soften the disparity between the rich and the poor in society and increase social responsibility.

The fruits of these noble traditions, ingrained in the Kazakh blood, can be observed in global statistics. For example, according to the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Report 2025, Kazakhstan ranks 30th globally in charitable giving. The study indicates that residents of the country spend an average of 1.2% of their income on charity. By this indicator, our country has surpassed even developed nations like the USA, the UK, and Germany. Kazakhstan also leads in the post-Soviet space and the Central Asian region. Specifically, our indicator is significantly higher than that of Ukraine (0.98%), Moldova (1.12%), and Azerbaijan (0.75%).

It is known that, at the initiative of Kazakhstan, 2026 has been declared the "International Year of Volunteers," and the UN General Assembly has adopted a special resolution at the proposal of the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This decision further underscores Kazakhstan's active stance in developing the volunteer movement. Abai University is also actively involved in this trend. The university has numerous charitable organizations that assist people with disabilities and those in need of care. It is gratifying that thousands of students are members of such organizations. They implement socially significant projects and provide material and spiritual support to those in need. Moreover, by integrating unity of thought, word, and deed, they are fostering a culture of student volunteering and serving as an example for our republic.

Offering warm words to someone who is distressed, showing compassion to the elderly, keeping the surroundings clean, or participating in volunteer projects – all of this is the beginning of great goodness. This day during the "Nauryzlama" ten-day celebration calls us not only to share material wealth but also to share the warmth of our souls. Because charity is the golden pillar of our national identity.

"Abai University" Media Center